View Full Version : AR closest to an M1 Carbine in weight?
An M1 Carbine (unloaded) is ~ 5 1/2 lbs in weight.
Without going to uber-special parts like LW BCG's or skeletonized lowers, how close can you get with an AR? Not talking SBR's or pistols here, let's say barrel length of 14.5" or greater. Weights do not include RDS but do include irons. Let's say a Colt 6720.
The closest I can concoct is still almost a pound heavier. Magpul SL buttstock, Magpul SL carbine-length HG (which happens to be about the same weight as the M4 handguards the 6720 comes with), DD fixed rear sight.
*the above-noted weights are off of the internet, not me personally weighing the parts.
I'm pretty sure you could build an AR with a 14.5" pencil barrel, lightweight full float rail, no forward assist upper, MFT stock, and Magpul BUIS and it would be less than 5.5 lbs.
A Colt 6720 is 6.1 lbs according to Colt. You should be able to drop .6 lbs with an Anderson sport upper, lighter (skinny, no liner) handguards and a MFT or Car stock.
It is kind of academic, though.
Andy
I'm pretty sure you could build an AR with a 14.5" pencil barrel, lightweight full float rail, no forward assist upper, MFT stock, and Magpul BUIS and it would be less than 5.5 lbs.
A Colt 6720 is 6.1 lbs according to Colt. You should be able to drop .6 lbs with an Anderson sport upper, lighter (skinny, no liner) handguards and a MFT or Car stock.
It is kind of academic, though.
Andy
Bravo B5 handguards have a liner and should be pretty light.
Also, CAR stocks tend to run a few ounces lighter than a standard M4 stock.
You could throw a bare bones 6520 at the m1 carbine and come really close. You'd have a car vs. a bicycle in terms of capability.
Or you could build a lw hard use 14.5" carbine that weighs 7.1lbs (normally w T-1, shown above under 7lbs), and have a space shuttle vs. a bicycle in terms of capability.
https://i.imgur.com/IFjli1k.jpg
XM177E2 had unloaded weight of 5.36 pounds, like mentioned above, a 14.5 LW barrel, lose FA and carry handle should be close.
Looking at the weight on this:
http://www.gwacsarmory.com/gwacs-cav-15-tactical-a4-quad-ar-15/
I think that lower with a lightweight barrel & non crappy forearm would hit your target weight.
Renegade04
01-12-19, 15:12
I built a lightweight AR about two years ago that weighs 5 lbs 14.7 ozs. Here are its specs:
Upper Receiver:
AERO PRECISION Stripped Upper Receiver
Strike Industries Lightweight Forward Assist - Blk
Strike Industries Enhanced Ultimate Dust Cover - Standard/Blk
Strike Industries Charging Handle w/ Extended Latch - Blk
LaRue Tactical 16" 5.56 PredatAR barrel (mid-length) w/ M4 Feedramps
LaRue Tactical Low Profile Gas Block (.625") and Gas Tube
SLR Rifleworks Synergy BCF 5.56 Mod 1
SLR Rifleworks Helix 11.7" MLOK Handguard (HELIX-11.7ML)
SLR Rifleworks M-LOK Handstop Mod 2 (HS-ML2)
Battle Arms Development M16 Bolt Carrier Group - Black Nitride Finish (BAD-BCG-M16)
MAGPUL MBUS PRO Front & Rear sights (Blk)
HOLOSUN Paralow HS403A Red Dot Sight - 2 MOA
Lower Receiver:
McKay Enterprises A2 Lower Receiver (stripped)
Battle Arms Development BAD-EMMR Enhanced MODULAR Magazine Release - LG/Blk
Battle Arms Development Sabretube (Mid)/QD Endplate/B.A.D.-BS Stock Combo
Battle Arms Development Carbine buffer and Buffer Spring
Battle Arms Development Enhanced Takedown & Pivot Pin Set
Elftmann Tactical Ambidextrous Push-Button Speed Safety
CMC LANTAC E-CT1 Single Stage Flat Trigger 3.5LB Release
Forward Controls Design Augmented Bolt Catch/Release (ABC/R-F-BLK)
TYRANT DESIGNS CNC Mod Grip (Medium Chevron Panels)
CORE15 Trigger Guard
https://i.imgur.com/ujXIvrs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0nuRPu1.jpg
As you see, it can be done without dedicated lightweight parts.
A couple of complete factory rifles that might come close with just iron sights (scarlar works irons only add 2.38 oz), and not counting any additional weight from an optic or weapon light:
BCM Recce-14 MCMR-LW (14.5 light weight profile mid-length gassed barrel) - 5.7 lbs
https://shop.bravocompanymfg.com/BCM-RECCE-14-MCMRLight-Weight-AR15-Carbine-p/bcm-carbine-780-750-lw.htm
https://cdn3.volusion.com/sbngl.sesgn/v/vspfiles/photos/BCM-Carbine-780-750-LW-2T.jpg?1537787951
Daniel Defense DD4V7 SLW (14.5 lightweight mid-length gassed barrel) - 5.9 lbs (the extra weight is in the heavier DD V7 handguard)
https://danieldefense.com/firearms/daniel-defenser-v7tmslw-daniel-defenser-deep-woodstm.html
http://www.lipseys.net/images/DD0212801219047.jpg?maxwidth=520
Looking at the weight on this:
http://www.gwacsarmory.com/gwacs-cav-15-tactical-a4-quad-ar-15/
I think that lower with a lightweight barrel & non crappy forearm would hit your target weight.
And in the end what do you have???? A no-name POS rifle built on a plastic lower. Not me!
As jsbhike suggested, something like the In Range WWSD (What Would Stoner Do) project guns would be lighter still (under 6lbs with a 16" pencil barrel, GWACS lower, and carbon fiber handguard):
WWSD Conclusion video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y77fVM40mI
Full list of all the WWSD videos they did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUNM9NqJqZXfRNeuW4_2sg/search?query=wwsd
https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fyxgcbew4ezl01.jpg&f=1
And in the end what do you have???? A no-name POS rifle built on a plastic lower. Not me!
Doesn't appear POS
http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2014/03/18/gwacs-armory-cav-15-mkii-torture-test/
Can always sit a more traditional factory rifle, without bullet holes, on the knick knack shelf when expecting company.
Doesn't appear POS
http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2014/03/18/gwacs-armory-cav-15-mkii-torture-test/
Can always sit a more traditional factory rifle, without bullet holes, on the knick knack shelf when expecting company.
I'm looking forward to when they are available again.
Yeah I think I will try one too. I came close when it was CavArms, but never did and honestly didn't know GWACS Picked it up till the WWSD vids came out.
I would prefer to have a heavier gun with adjustable LOP than a lighter one with a fixed stock (CavArms).
Andy
I’ve also been waiting to see GWACS lower in stock. It may not check every box, but overall it seems like a good implementation of a very good idea.
HardToHandle
01-12-19, 22:31
An M1 Carbine (unloaded) is ~ 5 1/2 lbs in weight.
Without going to uber-special parts like LW BCG's or skeletonized lowers, how close can you get with an AR? Not talking SBR's or pistols here, let's say barrel length of 14.5" or greater. Weights do not include RDS but do include irons. Let's say a Colt 6720.
Brownells has their XM177 come which is a bit short of specified barrel but right at 5.5 pounds. Upon handling it, it is a sweet carbine feeling. https://www.brownells.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/xbrn-177e2-carbine-5-56mm-12-7in-black-sku078000403-113315-212164.aspx?rrec=true
I have and appreciate the 6720. Trying to get lightning strike twice, I built a mid length light profile BCM 14.5” with a iron tower... Felt very different from the carbine length 6720 and not as well balanced. The XM177 feels faster to the hand, not surprisingly.
I have and appreciate the 6720. Trying to get lightning strike twice, I built a mid length light profile BCM 14.5” with a iron tower... Felt very different from the carbine length 6720 and not as well balanced.
That is interesting. I have a 16" LW BCM midlength with FSB. Before I mounted the light, it would balance on an empty 10 round pmag and felt great in the hands.
Andy
Colt 1979 SP1 Carbine Model R6001
to make it light as possible in the field, i replace the aluminum buttstock with a Colt N1 plastic buttstock, which then weights just 5.75#
click on pix to make larger:
55494
.
Colt 1979 SP1 Carbine Model R6001
to make it light as possible in the field, i replace the aluminum buttstock with a Colt N1 plastic buttstock, which weights 5.75#
click on pix to make larger:
55494
.
Those are so awesome, been close to getting one the last several months, but haven't found the perfect one yet.
Yours looks super clean.
thanks, it is. i bought it back in the "good old days" for $375
its funny that after owning dozens and dozens of modern expensive hi-tech variations, i've re-discovered that the simplicity of these old carbs has more value than i had given them.
I have a Colt 6720 that I had the barrel cut back to 15" and an A2 FH pinned and welded. It has a DD rear sight (the fixed type, not a folder), and it is currently wearing a Magpul SL-K stock and Magpul Slimline HG's. A regular CAR HG weighs about 3.7 ounces less than the Magpul Slimline and a CAR stock weighs about 2 ounces less than the Magpul SL-K, so I could knock off about 5.7 ounces just by changing those two parts.
everready73
01-14-19, 08:56
If you want to break out your checkbook and spend 2k Faxon has a complete rifle that comes in at 4.95LBS
Carbon Fiber Handguard, pencil barrel, and Lightweight BCG is where most of the weight savings come
https://faxonfirearms.com/fx5500-ultralight-ar15/
or go completely crazy with this 3.65# model - https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/12/29/master-arms-enyo-lightweight-rifle-3-65-lbs/
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Master-of-Arms-ENYO-Lightweight-Rifle-3.65-Lbs-2.jpg
or go completely crazy with this 3.65# model - https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/12/29/master-arms-enyo-lightweight-rifle-3-65-lbs/
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Master-of-Arms-ENYO-Lightweight-Rifle-3.65-Lbs-2.jpgI've handled this thing. It's amazingly light and crazy expensive @ >$3k!
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
TexasAggie2005
01-14-19, 11:55
I have a Colt 6720 that I had the barrel cut back to 15" and an A2 FH pinned and welded. snip
Who did you have cut down your 6720? Any pictures?
I have one I'm going to have cut down and was wondering if there was enough meat left on the barrel for a muzzle device to be shouldered against.
Who did you have cut down your 6720? Any pictures?
I have one I'm going to have cut down and was wondering if there was enough meat left on the barrel for a muzzle device to be shouldered against.
My buddy is a gunsmith and has a lathe, so we cut one inch off, re-threaded and re-crowned, then drilled a pin hole in an A2 FH and pin/welded it. The "shoulder" you mention isn't necessary; we used a crush washer to index the FH then pin/welded it. Well, there was enough of a "lip" (won't call it a "shoulder" per se) to hold the crush washer in place so it's all good.
everready73
01-15-19, 09:05
Who did you have cut down your 6720? Any pictures?
I have one I'm going to have cut down and was wondering if there was enough meat left on the barrel for a muzzle device to be shouldered against.
Give John Thomas a call at Retro Gun Works. He will let you know if this is possible. His prices are really good and some of the cleanest work i have seen
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